Ministry - The Right Motivation - 2 Corinthians 5 - April 18, 2010

Bible Study – Ministry – The Right Motivation – April 18, 2010

This is study two (2) in our series “Ministry Done Right.”

Our scripture is 2 Corinthians 5:9-21.

We discussed having the right stuff in our previous study. This week we consider our motivation. The LORD had to shine HIS light deep into my life over the years to reveal my motivation. It is embarrassing to admit that in the early years my ego had been my motivation. Thus it becomes one of my first areas I have to examine when either asked to do something or launch into a project. Is the LORD leading me or am I leading me. That is why I try to wait upon the LORD to make sure HE is leading me. Notice, I used the word “try.” I still get into trouble. The only bumper sticker I have ever considered putting on my car bumper “I am a Christian still under construction.”
There is suitable scripture for examining our innermost being. It is found in Psalms 139:23-24 - 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Searching is one thing but the trying is another. From time to time, as uncomfortable as trying may be, we need for GOD’S Holy Light to shine deep within us to expose that which we either do not see or do not want to see. Hidden motives lurk within many of us. Having the right motive is important in any ministry. Remember all Christians are called to ministry.

Background:

Paul was stoned Acts 14:19-20 - 19 Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and when they had won over the crowds and stoned Paul, they dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead. 20 After the disciples surrounded him, he got up and went into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.

Many believe, as I do, that Paul died when he was stoned and taken up to the third heaven as recorded in 2 Corinthians 12:2-5 - 2 I know a man in Christ who was caught up into the third heaven 14 years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don’t know; God knows. 3 I know that this man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 was caught up into paradise. He heard inexpressible words, which a man is not allowed to speak. 5 I will boast about this person, but not about myself, except of my weaknesses.

I think the man Paul was referring to was himself. The first heaven is where the birds and clouds are. The second heaven is where the sun, moon, stars and planets are. The third heaven is where GOD is. The account of this event came later in his letter to the Corinthians. Paul’s knowledge of death may have turned some of the Christians off or they may have thought he was bragging when he talked about it. Did they interpret Paul’s knowledge of CHRIST and the workings of the SPIRIT as Spiritual arrogance? We can only speculate as to why some of the Corinthian Christians had a problem with Paul.

When a fellow believer or believers have a special encounter with the workings of the LORD and they share the experience, do they come across as being more Spiritually mature because of the encounter? When they do, it can turn off others. Often fellow Christians do not share experiences or encounters with the LORD because of the fear of being labeled or not being able to live up to a preconceived notion that they should be more Spiritually mature because of the experience.

Had this happened to Paul among some Corinthian Christians? I do not know but I offer it for consideration.

The following scripture precedes the scripture for our study and help better understand our focus scripture:

2 Corinthians 5:1-8:

Our Future after Death

1 For we know that if our earthly house, a tent,[1] Our present physical body is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house[2] a building . . . a house = our future body not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 And, in fact, we groan in this one, longing to put on our house from heaven, 3 since, when we are clothed,[3] Other mss read stripped we will not be found naked. 4 Indeed, we who are in this tent groan, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 And the One who prepared us for this very thing is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment. 6 Therefore, though we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord— 7 for we • walk by faith, not by sight— 8 yet we are confident and satisfied to be out of the body and at home with the Lord.

Paul was discussing life after death. Paul referred to his body as a tent, which houses his born-again Spirit. I like to refer to our human body as our earth suit. Our earth suit or tent allows us to live on earth after our salvation. Paul was saying that as Christians we look forward to the moment we cast off our flesh clothes and put on our heavenly clothes. Paul was telling the Corinthian Christians that as our bodies age, we get aches and pains and long to be released from our bodies. When believers received CHRIST, GOD gave each believer a down payment of the HOLY SPIRIT as an assurance that our faith in CHRIST is real and secure in our eternal life.

Now, to our scripture.

Let’s read 2 Corinthians 5:9-11a:

9 Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or bad. 11 Knowing, then, the fear of the Lord, we persuade people.

The word “therefore” ties this scripture to the preceding scripture. Paul was speaking of serving GOD whether or not we are on earth or in heaven. I am reminded of the model prayer JESUS taught in Matthew 6:10 - 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Whether a born-again is in heaven or on earth, it is important to obey the will of our FATHER. As Christians our citizenship is in heaven, therefore, bragging about our Spirituality is not necessary. Paul encouraged the Corinthian Christians to seek a deeper walk with CHRIST.

Obedience was the issue because everyone is accountable to GOD. GOD will judge the non-Christian as well as the Christian. The non-Christian will be judged for rejecting CHRIST and the Christian will be judged on his/her faithfulness or obedience to the leadership of the HOLY SPIRIT. For the Christian it will be the moment of receiving his/her rewards.

This is where our motive comes into the equation. We may say, “But LORD, I did so-and-so in your name.” The answer could be, “Sorry, you wanted to glorify yourself. You wanted the praise of others. But there are other areas where your heart was in tune with MY HEART. Do you remember when you gave an encouraging word and a smile to so-and-so? Well, here is a chunk of gold.” I think all of us will be shocked at what our LORD has counted as valuable in service to HIM. HE wants Christians to look at others through HIS eyes and to respond as HE leads them. Our motive to serve needs to be pure before the LORD.

The Reverend Dwight L. Moody once said “Character is what you are in the dark.” In our last study, we discussed being a fragrance for the LORD. Christians are on display 24/7. We are either giving off a sweet smell which glorifies the LORD or giving off a bad odor which does not draw others to HIM. Whether we like it or not, we influence others either positively or negatively for CHRIST. This is a tremendous burden or blessing. How can we be a positive influence and blessing? Come on you can answer that question - When we are in the right relationship with HIM. When we are in right relationship, it is natural to represent CHRIST positively because CHRIST shines through HIS children.

Let’s read 2 Corinthians 5:11b-15:

We are completely open before God, and I hope we are completely open to our consciences as well. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you may have a reply for those who take pride in the outward appearance[4] Lit in face rather than in the heart. 13 For if we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we have a sound mind, it is for you. 14 For Christ’s love compels[5] Or For the love of Christ impels, or For the love of Christ controls us, since we have reached this conclusion: if One died for all, then all died. 15 And He died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the One who died for them and was raised.

There was a problem between Paul and some of the Corinthian Christians. We are not sure what the problem was but Paul was making it clear that his motives were pure before the LORD and he hoped they also knew that his motive for ministering to them was above board and pure as well. He was not hiding anything from them nor was he being Spiritually arrogant.

Paul was saying that they had seen and heard him present CHRIST and he was not going to do that again. In essence, he was saying you folks know me and the message which has been delivered. We have presented truth and you can be proud of us for sticking to the truth and not bloviating. Keep in mind that there are those who preach a message with great fanfare and emotion. They appeal to the flesh. Appealing to the flesh can lead a person into false notions about CHRIST. Being a true Christian is all about the heart and a daily walk with CHRIST.

Paul was saying that he might present a stem-winder of a message but if he did it was because the Spirit of GOD was compelling him to do so. GOD was the author of his message to them. The message of CHRIST was compelling because all humans at one time were dead. But the Good News was that all who believe in CHRIST have been made alive for all eternity because of HIS passion. This Good News was exciting and life changing and could not be kept hidden but had to be shared with those who are dead. He reminds them that all of us were dead at one time and CHRIST has made us alive for all eternity.

Let’s read 2 Corinthians 5:16-21:

The Ministry of Reconciliation

16 From now on, then, we do not know[6] Or regard anyone in a purely human way.[7] Lit anyone according to the flesh Even if we have known[8] Or have regarded Christ in a purely human way,[9] Lit Christ according to the flesh yet now we no longer know[10] Or regard Him like that. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things[11] Other mss read look, all new things have come. 18 Now everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ; certain that God is appealing through us, we plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” 21 He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

I mentioned earlier that all Christians are called to ministry. In my opinion, all Christians have been called to the ministry of reconciliation. All humans are alienated from GOD because of the original sin. GOD allowed CHRIST, out of HIS infinite love for all humans, to leave HIS glory in heaven to come to earth as a human. CHRIST lived as a human and gave HIS life to break the sin barrier. HIS resurrection is proof that HE broke the sin barrier so that all who believe in HIM are reconciled or brought back into fellowship with GOD. All who believe in the Passion of CHRIST experience the miracle of rebirth and are born-again in their Spirit.

Let’s explore what Paul was saying.

Because Paul, along with all true Christians, had experienced the miracle of reconciliation, they saw the purpose of CHRIST and the love of GOD in a more intimate way. They saw others through the eyes of GOD. Paul saw all humans as either reconciled with GOD through CHRIST or alienated from HIM. There was no in between. CHRIST gave HIS life to provide the opportunity for all who would believe in HIM to be reconciled to GOD just as HE and the FATHER are one.

Those who believe in CHRIST experience the miracle of rebirth. Old things have passed away and life with CHRIST is new and exciting because HE has made all who believe in HIM new through the renewing of their minds, from being flesh controlled to Spirit controlled. A Christian’s mind is being reconciled to GOD through the process of sanctification. This is building a solid relationship with CHRIST as we yield ourselves to HIM on a daily basis.

Paul was saying that the ministry of CHRIST was reconciliation. CHRIST came to earth to reconcile all humans who would accept HIM as their SAVIOR to GOD. GOD’S desire is to restore the fellowship HE had with Adam and Eve before they sinned. GOD did not allow CHRIST to come to earth for the purpose of condemning people but to offer them hope for all eternity through HIM. This is the Good News of the Gospel of CHRIST. All humans are sinners and condemned to death because of sin but those who accept CHRIST as their SAVIOR see through Spiritual eyes and see fellow humans from a different perspective. They share the Good News of salvation with those who are non-Christians because their hearts have been changed and they see truth.

GOD reconciled Christians to Himself through CHRIST and HE in turn calls them to the ministry of reconciliation. GOD wants all humans to be restored to the relationship and fellowship HE first intended when HE created male and female.

Through the ministry of reconciliation GOD has made each Christian HIS Ambassador. Our ministry is “Have you been reconciled to GOD through CHRIST? If not, ask CHRIST to forgive you of your sins, no matter how bad you think they are, accept the fact that CHRIST died on the cross to conquer sin and remove its barrier and ask HIM to come into your life.” When a person makes this request, he/she is reconciled to GOD through CHRIST.

Then Paul gives us a statement that you know is one of my favorite.

21 He (GOD) made the One (JESUS) who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Just think about the fact that through reconciliation, as a Christian, you are made righteous before GOD. You received the gift of eternal life, are born into the family of GOD, received the HOLY SPIRIT, made a citizen of heaven and made an ambassador by GOD. All Christians are called to the ministry of reconciliation. What does that mean? Build your relationship with GOD, through CHRIST, get to know HIM and allow HIM to lead you into obedient service.

When a Christian is in the right relationship with CHRIST, he/she is also in HIS will. Maintaining the right relationship also opens Christians to examination by the HOLY SPIRIT. When Christians are in right relationship their motives are in harmony with HIS.